Chicago Cubs: Pedro Strop quietly dominates yet again in 2018

The Chicago Cubs longest-tenured reliever, Pedro Strop brought stability, high-leverage dominance and his rampant emotions to the mound in 2018.

After watching the Chicago Cubs fall to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 National League Championship Series in just five games, it became abundantly clear that there was a seismic shift happening within in the league and that shift has shown especially apparent this past season.

We now live in the Bullpen Era.

As the series drew to a close and the Dodgers stifled any prospect of a second straight World Series championship for the North Siders, Theo Epstein immediately went into savant-mode. He witnessed the importance of the league’s direction, devoting a large portion of the offseason to retooling Chicago’s bullpen.

He signed several key free agents, including Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek, to help bolster the bullpen.  While great additions to the team, the most notable late-inning arm in 2018 was, once again, a familiar face.

Pedro Strop had a career year in 2018, amplifying the importance of his presence on the team, helping the Cubs become the best bullpen the National League and second overall in the Majors, behind only the Houston Astros.

Chicago Cubs: Strop has built an impeccable resume for himself

When the Cubs shut down Brandon Morrow for the remainder of the season on Sept. 15, the team was in desperate need of someone to fill the closer role.  Strop, never being one to back down from stepping up, filled in nicely in the absence of Morrow.

Ever since the Cubs acquired Strop in the notorious 2013 deal that also brought over Jake Arrieta from the Baltimore Orioles, he has been nothing but consistent for the club.  Through 361 games (11th in franchise history), he has recorded 114 holds (all-time franchise leader), carrying a 2.63 ERA as the Cubs’ longest-tenured reliever.

When Chicago needed someone to take the late-inning reins and put the game on his back, Strop adapted and didn’t disappoint, showcasing his ability to stay cool and dominate under big-game pressure.  He made fans rest easy as he took the mound with the lead and his teammates showed the same faith as well.

One particular sentiment came from Cubs center fielder, Albert Almora Jr.:

“That’s the guy you want out there. He can be awkward with his delivery but has plus stuff.  You’re not worried about him because you know he’s not worried.”

Strop’s ability to shut down games as a closer was also dually noted by Cubs skipper, Joe Maddon:

“He puts the ball on the ground on the ground and he has a wipeout slider that works against righties and lefties.”

As Strop continued to prove his value on the hill, it should be noted that his clubhouse presence has just as an impressive amount of weight to it, as well.

Chicago Cubs: Lighting a fire under teammates on and off the diamond

Known as a clubhouse ambassador of sorts, Strop takes great pride in ensuring that he is a great teammate and goes to great lengths at managing the team’s morale.  His unselfishness certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I try to put my teammates in the same mood every time,” Strop said this season. “Sometimes you’re in a bad mood, but I make sure they’re in a good mood by the time they go and pitch.”

During a road trip to Kansas City, the team paid their respects to the positive clubhouse leader by devoting a “Dress Like Pedro Strop” day that saw the players and coaches dress in their gaudiest, flashiest garb.

Throughout the years and especially during the high and low points of this season, he seemed to always lift the spirits of everyone around him, whether it was with his signature bright and playful smile or his “lead by example” emotion on the mound.  The always animated Strop seems to have a knack for firing up his teammates.

Never being one to turn away from big moments, he decides to face them head-on.  That’s the mentality of Pedro Strop.  After suffering a hamstring injury in Washington late in the season, he returned with that gusto on full display in the NL Wild Card game at Wrigley Field.